DRRP on Inclusive Cloud and Web Computing

Mission

The DRRP on Inclusive Cloud and Web Computing will research and develop methods to enable software providers to easily and rapidly implement inclusive user experiences so that consumers are empowered to fully participate in cloud and web systems.

Research Projects

R1. Crowdsourced AssistanceProject lead: Jeffery Bigham
We will investigate methods for crowdsourcing a more accessible and usable Web on-demand and at scale. Despite persistent effort, much of the Web remains difficult or impossible for people with disabilities to access, and automatic approaches alone are currently insufficient. Crowdsourcing is a promising approach for making third-party content accessible without relying on developers, who often lack the skill or motivation to do so. In contrast to prior work, we will investigate crowdsourcing accessibility (1) in seconds so that users benefit on their first visit, and (2) at scale to address the enormity of the problem on the Web.

R2. Adaptive User InterfacesProject lead: Amy Hurst
This project will examine the impact of adaptive interfaces that detect when an individual is experiencing difficulty pointing or navigating complex hierarchical menus, and accommodate their ability. The studies in this project will inform the design of future adaptive systems by examining when adaptations should be activated, appropriate feedback, and matching ability to an adaptation.

R3. AuthenticationProject lead: Yang Wang
Logging into a website with user names and passwords (i.e., authentication) is an essential part of people’s everyday Internet activities. However, this mundane operation can be daunting for users with disabilities. We aim to evaluate accessible, secure, usable, and privacy-preserving authentication schemes that everyone can use. More specifically, our goal is to enable: (1) accessible and fast authentication for everyone and (2) privacy-preserving personalization for everyone.

Development Projects

DV1. Brokering Real-Time HelpProject leads: Yun Huang, Jeffery Bigham, & Aaron Steinfeld
We will develop a lightweight utility infrastructure, CAN (Composable Accessibility Infrastructure), where software developers share their functional modules and website or mobile app developers can easily find and integrate suitable accessibility modules into their sites or apps. Our goal is to provide modules and services that are easy for third-party developers to rapidly integrate into their own systems, thereby facilitating rapid adoption. Our approach is designed to leverage cloud resources to lower data storage demands and enable preservation of Internet identity across systems.

DV2. Crowdsourced Scrapers and SummarizersProject leads: Anthony Tomasic & John Zimmerman
This project will focus on software that enables non-programmers to build and share Personalized Internet Tables that collate information from across the web. This approach to content adaptation allows users to integrate information and streamline data presentation, thus lowering barriers for people with visual impairments and cognitive disabilities. We will also work on PIT information alerts, which will send messages when user-specified information changes on the Internet. By taking a universal design approach, and supporting the sharing and requesting of tables through a community network, we will support the needs of people with disabilities, clinicians, and the general public.

Dissemination, Utilization, and Technical Assistance

The DRRP will act as an information resource for developers and service providers, academics, and the general public. The team will work to assist and encourage rapid deployment of software and knowledge on accessible computing. Future versions of this website will contain resources tailored to each group’s needs and updates on the latest research and development efforts.

Sponsor

The Disability Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) on Inclusive Cloud and Web Computing is funded under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90DP0061-01-00). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this website do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.